Roller-Coaster Fanatic
Insider Info
What is more than 100 years old and more fun than ever? Roller-coasters!
Wooden sleds running down long ice slides were popular winter attractions
in Russia as long ago as the 1600s. But the first real roller-coaster, the
Switchback Gravity Pleasure Railway, was built at Coney Island in 1884.
The oldest roller-coaster still in use in North America is the Leap-the-Dips.
It was built in 1902 and runs at the Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania.
Coney Island is still a very popular place to play and ride. But the amusement
park with the most roller-coasters is Cedar Point in Ohio -- it has 12.
Cedar Point has been in operation since 1870. Originally a family business,
Cedar Point expanded and went corporate in the 1970s to compete with the other
big parks.
According to Amusement Business magazine, the number one amusement park
is the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Roller-coasters can be constructed out of wood or steel. They can be friction-
or chain-driven or have a non-friction design. The features to look for? Speed,
degree and length of drops, and G-factors (gravity pressure factors).
Roller-coasters have to be maintained to avoid accidents. The chance of
being hurt while riding a roller-coaster is one in seven million. According
to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 80 percent of all accidents
involve rider misconduct.
The most recent statistics from the CPSC show 30 fatalities from all rides
in the mobile amusement industry as a whole, not just roller-coasters.
Ride workers are more likely to be injured or killed than passengers. Riders
are more likely to be caught stranded on a coaster because of mechanical problems
or environmental factors, such as high winds.
The Mean Streak at Cedar Point is the roller-coaster that scores the highest
overall.
It may not be the tallest (it's second at 160 feet), or the fastest (it's
highest speed is only 65 miles per hour), or the longest circuit (a little
bit better than a mile at 5,427 feet, but it has the longest drop -- 155 feet
to be exact. It is these numbers that make it a blast to ride.
Getting Started
Riding roller-coasters and other amusement park rides can be an affordable
way to spend a day or two. The prices in all parks are competitive. They range
from $30 to $45 for a one-day pass, to $100 and up for a season pass.
If you decide to become a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, the
rates are even better. You are also able to attend special events and meet
other roller-coaster lovers. People of all ages belong to these groups.
Remember basic safety principles. Keep your arms and body in the positions
recommended by the individual rides.
Don't wear overly loose clothing. Hats, bags and even glasses tend to fly
over loops. Wear a fanny pack and hold your hat, if necessary. Dangling earrings,
long chains and necklaces can become weapons against the wearer.
If you truly love to ride, check out the job listings at your favorite
park, or one near home. The pay may not be great, but the perks can be. The
jobs are seasonal in most areas. They can fit well around school and summer
vacations.
Roller-coaster enthusiasts have done a lot of wild things for their love
of the ride. They have entered radio contests, sitting continuously on a ride
for a chance to win cash and prizes. There are couples who have been married
on the first, or their favorite, coaster.
If you would like to talk to other lovers of the ultimate thrill rides,
there are a number of options. You can check out the Internet and look for
message boards or chat rooms. The people there are all roller-coaster enthusiasts.
Joining a newsgroup is another route. The American Coaster Enthusiasts
site has great links for the best groups.
Associations
American Coaster Enthusiasts
Internet
:
http://www.aceonline.org
National Amusement Park Historical Association
Internet
:
http://www.napha.org/
Links
Screamscape
The ultimate guide to roller-coasters
Ultimate Roller-Coaster
News, FAQs and links related to roller-coasters
How Roller-Coasters Work
Learn about the physics behind roller-coasters from the folks
at HowStuffWorks.com
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